Better weather gives footfall first rise in over a year - BRC

BRC-SENSORMATIC FOOTFALL MONITOR – September 2024

Covering the five weeks 25 August 2024 – 28 September 2024
According to BRC-Sensormatic data: 

• Total UK footfall increased by 3.3% in September (YoY), up from -0.4% in August.
  
  
  • High Street footfall increased by 0.9% in September (YoY), up from -0.3% in August.
    
    
  • Retail Park footfall increased by 7.3% in September (YoY), up from from +2.6% in August.
    
    
  • Shopping Centre footfall increased by 2.3% in September (YoY), up from -1.8% in August.

• All four devolved nations saw increases in footfall YoY:
  • Northern Ireland increased by 2.5% YoY
  • Scotland increased by 0.7% YoY
  • England increased by 3.6% YoY
  • Wales increased by 5.4% YoY

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:
“Footfall rose for the first time in over a year as mild temperatures combined with weak footfall last year led to strong growth in September. It was neither too hot nor too cold for customers, leaving retailers in the sweet spot for additional shopping trips. This compared positively to last year when the intense heatwave caused many people to stay home and delay purchases of autumnal clothes and products. Retail parks continued to perform particularly well as the increased rain drove some people towards shopping areas with nearby parking.

“While retailers will welcome this autumnal boost, it is the next few months, in the run up to Christmas, that are most important. The Chancellor wants to boost confidence and help unlock business investment. A Retail Business Rates Corrector, a 20% adjustment to bills for all retail properties, would help mitigate the disproportionate impact of business rates on retail, driving investment and helping to rejuvenate high streets. This in turn would boost shopper footfall and create thriving communities up and down the country.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented:
“September saw a long-awaited positive uptick in footfall, with total shopper numbers returning the first positive year-on-year performance since July 2023.  While the High Street and Shopping Centres saw improvements compared to last year, Retail Parks were once again the standout shopping destination, with their tenant mix of out-of-town supermarkets and discount retail offerings helping to drive shopper traffic.  This September's growth is built on last year's suppressed footfall from September 2023's heatwave.  While retailers will welcome the boost, hoping that this translates into sales, many will still be eyeing it with caution.” 

MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY

-ENDS-

Methodology:
All figures are calculated using precise shopper numbers entering retail stores across the UK, whichever destination they are located.

While High Streets, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks are the main components of the Total Footfall, there are also additional categories not included as separate indices. These include outlets, travel hub locations, and free standing locations such as garden centres.

Chancellor urged to back Scottish retail's efforts to turn browsing into buying

Covering the five weeks 25 August 2024 – 28 September 2024

According to SRC-Sensormatic data:

• Scottish footfall increased by 0.7% in September (YoY), flat with August, lower than the UK average increase of 3.3% (YoY).

• Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 2.4% in September (YoY) in Scotland, down from -0.6% in August.

• In September, footfall in Edinburgh increased by 2.8% (YoY), while Glasgow decreased by 1.0%.

David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
“September saw a steady if unspectacular growth in shopper foot-traffic compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, this is a positive trajectory - and for a second successive month – particularly ahead of the so-called Golden Quarter for much of Scotland's retail industry. Once again Edinburgh was the standout destination, seeing growth for a fourth month in a row. However, footfall to shopping centres dipped to their lowest level since the Spring.

“There is a note of caution in that improvements in footfall haven't always correlated with an increase the value of retail sales. Frustratingly for retailers more browsing by customers doesn't necessarily mean more buying. As such, the hoped for positive knock-on economic impact of an expansion in footfall cannot be taken for granted. Whilst shop prices are falling, recent data shows consumer sentiment has waned and some recent public policy decisions will likely nibble away at disposable incomes, such as the removal of the peak rail fares discount and increase in the minimum unit price of alcohol.

“Enhanced levels of consumer spending will be central to Scotland's economic recovery. Hopefully, the Chancellor will use her upcoming Budget to inject some much needed confidence back into the economy and help encourage shoppers to move from window shopping to the real thing in the Golden Quarter of trading.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented:
“September saw another positive uptick in footfall, building on the positive year-on-year performance in August, as Back To School boosted store visits.  While across the UK, High Street and Shopping Centres saw improvements compared to last year, Retail Parks were once again the standout shopping destination, with their tenant mix of out-of-town supermarkets and discount retail offerings helping to drive shopper traffic.  While retailers will welcome this second consecutive boost to store numbers, many will still be eyeing it with caution.” 

MONTHLY TOTAL SCOTTISH RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY) 

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY

-ENDS-

Methodology:
All figures are calculated using precise shopper numbers entering retail stores across the UK, whichever destination they are located.

While High Streets, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks are the main components of the Total Footfall, there are also additional categories not included as separate indices. These include outlets, travel hub locations, and free standing locations such as garden centres.

Standout September as Wales outperforms on footfall

Covering the five weeks 25 August 2024 – 28 September 2024

According to WRC-Sensormatic data:

• Welsh footfall increased by 5.4% in September (YoY), up from -1.8% in August. This led all of the UK regions, which on average increased by of 3.3% (YoY).

• Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 1.6% in September (YoY) in Wales, up from August's -5.2%.

• In September, footfall in Cardiff increased by 3.9% (YoY), up from -4.1% in August.

Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said:

“Welsh footfall returned its first year on year growth since March, with a positive start to the autumn shopping period. Bolstered by return to school preparations shopper numbers were up 7.2 percent on the preceding month and 5.4 per cent on the previous year. These standout figures place Wales at the top of the footfall league, surpassing other UK nations and regions, and providing the first real sign of positivity for almost two years.

“Whilst the figures paint a glowing picture for September it remains the case that these are just one month's figures. It will be a nervous wait for Welsh retailers as they move into the golden quarter of Christmas shopping, a period which is vital to their annual performance. Given the relatively lacklustre shopper numbers throughout 2024, it is hoped that renewed confidence will return, and footfall growth will be sustained for the remainder of the year.

“Fundamental to ongoing growth in the retail industry – Wales' largest private sector employer - will be Government decisions in the upcoming Autumn statement and Welsh budget. The WRC will shortly be presenting our own budget recommendations to the Welsh Government, calling for support on business rates and an easing of regulatory pressures. By acting on our recommendations a clear signal can be sent, that Wales is a great place to do business and can thrive in the years to come..”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented:
“September saw a long-awaited positive uptick in footfall, with total shopper numbers returning the first positive year-on-year performance since March 2024, as Back To School boosted store visits.  While across the UK, High Street and Shopping Centres saw improvements compared to last year, Retail Parks were once again the standout shopping destination, with their tenant mix of out-of-town supermarkets and discount retail offerings helping to drive shopper traffic.  This September's growth is built on last year's suppressed footfall, so while retailers will welcome the boost, many will still be eyeing it with caution.”

MONTHLY TOTAL WELSH RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY)

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YoY)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY

-ENDS-

Methodology:
All figures are calculated using precise shopper numbers entering retail stores across the UK, whichever destination they are located.

While High Streets, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks are the main components of the Total Footfall, there are also additional categories not included as separate indices. These include outlets, travel hub locations, and free standing locations such as garden centres.

NIRC-SENSORMATIC FOOTFALL MONITOR – September 2024

Covering the five weeks 25 August 2024 – 28 September 2024
According to NIRC-Sensormatic data: 

• Northern Ireland footfall increased by 2.5% in September (YoY), up from +1.4% in August. This is the biggest increase of the four nations and better than the UK average decrease of -0.4% (YoY).

• Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 0.8% in September (YoY) in Northern Ireland; this is up from -2.4% in August.

• In September, footfall in Belfast increased by 3.7% (YoY), up from -0.2% in August.

Neil Johnston, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said:

“September saw a steady if unspectacular growth in shopper foot-traffic across the UK, including Northern Ireland, compared to the previous year. The positive footfall figures for Northern Ireland seem to be driven by Belfast – Northern Ireland footfall was up 2.5% overall compared to the same period last year while Belfast was up 3.7%. Across the UK the increase was 3.3%.

“Retail parks seem to be the most vibrant locations at the moment, and this may be due to investment by retailers in these locations.

“There is a note of caution in that improvements in footfall haven't always correlated with an increase in the value of retail sales. Frustratingly for retailers more browsing by customers doesn't necessarily mean more buying. As such, the hoped for positive knock-on economic impact of an expansion in footfall cannot be taken for granted. 

“Enhanced levels of consumer spending will be central to continuing Northern Ireland's economic recovery. Hopefully, the Chancellor will use her upcoming Budget to boost confidence in the economy and help encourage shoppers to move from window shopping to the real thing in the Golden Quarter of trading.

“Locally we would urge the Finance Minister to boost the health of our retail hubs across Northern Ireland by moving to cut business rates and set a path to bringing our business rates multiplier down in line with England and Wales. Strong retail centres are crucial to our economy.” 

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented:
“September saw another positive uptick in footfall, building on the positive year-on-year performance in August, as Back To School boosted store visits.  While across the UK, High Street and Shopping Centres saw improvements compared to last year, Retail Parks were once again the standout shopping destination, with their tenant mix of out-of-town supermarkets and discount retail offerings helping to drive shopper traffic.  This September's growth is built on last year's suppressed footfall, so while retailers will welcome this second consecutive boost to store numbers, many will still be eyeing it with caution.”

MONTHLY TOTAL NORTHERN IRELAND RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY)

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY

-ENDS-

Methodology:
All figures are calculated using precise shopper numbers entering retail stores across the UK, whichever destination they are located.

While High Streets, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks are the main components of the Total Footfall, there are also additional categories not included as separate indices. These include outlets, travel hub locations, and free standing locations such as garden centres.